As we all learned last season, pitching wins championships.
The Mets, a flawed team despite the acquisitions of Yoenis Cespedes, Kelly Johnson, Tyler Clippard, Juan Uribe and Michael Conforto (via call-up), were able to make a run to the World Series because of their pitching. The combination of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz is bar none the best starting four in the league. A couple of months into 2016, the Mets will have Zack Wheeler as their fifth-starter, and the argument may be made that the Mets have five aces.
Now, despite the need for offense with Daniel Murphy and Yoenis Cespedes departing, the focus should remain on pitching, and the bullpen should be more specific. The only sure thing in the bullpen is Jeurys Familia, and the Mets will need to get some help to bridge the middle innings to ultimately get the ball to him.
Despite his late season drop-off, I wouldn’t be opposed to a Tyler Clippard reunion. His nasty changeup could serve as a nice change of pace to Familia and Hansel Robles, who I expect will have an even bigger role this season. Addison Reed should be important to 2016 as well, as he impressed during his brief time as a Met last season. There is one thing the bullpen has missed, and it was crucial in the World Series. They were missing that left hander that could get the big lefty out. They were missing vintage Pedro Feliciano, and it doesn’t help that they lost Jerry Blevins and Josh Edgin to injury early. Both Eric O’Flaherty and Alex Torres, who were acquired by trade and later dumped, left much to be desired.
Enter Tony Sipp, a man not many Mets’ fans may be familiar with since he pitched for the Astros in the American League. Last year, he was 3-4 with a 1.99 ERA. In 54.1 innings, he allowed just 41 hits, walked 15 and stuck out 62. Lefties did not fare very well against him, hitting just .229, but righties did even worse, hitting an anemic .190.
He’s 32, but it may require a three or four-year deal to get it done. What is fair market value? Can he be had for four years/$22 million? I would sign the dotted line right now. That would give the Mets a bullpen that includes Familia, Sipp, Reed, Robles, Gilmartin, Clippard and one of Carlos Torres/Erik Goeddel?
Sign me up, and the rest can come later.
Thoughts?
